Sustainability
High-Performance Lightweighting For A Sustainable Future
At Bcomp, we ignite innovation to power sustainable solutions for a decarbonised world. Driven by our unwavering commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, we don’t just enhance our operations — we empower our partners and customers. Our cutting-edge materials and technologies are designed to reduce environmental footprints and promote cleaner, greener industries.
Beyond CO₂ reduction
Integrating environmental principles into our operations and supply chain is at the heart of our efforts, with circularity in mind. Our materials replace fossil-based ones, cutting CO2 emissions by up to 85% and reducing weight and plastic.
Beyond people
Bcomp fosters a healthy work environment by prioritising safety, inclusivity, equal rights, education, and local job creation. Safety is a paramount value, with a zero-accident objective embedded in all operations.
Beyond governance
Our sustainability strategy is integrated into our core operations and regularly reviewed for climate risks. With strong governance and certifications, we track progress and enforce a comprehensive code of conduct for ethical practices.
Beyond CO2 Reduction
Our operations
At Bcomp, our commitment to sustainability starts at home. Our headquarters in Fribourg is located at Bluefactory, a low-carbon innovation site. Here, we operate entirely on 100% renewable energy, reflecting our dedication to minimising our environmental footprint. Furthermore, our nearby production site, located in a long-established building, benefits from our active support for the landlord’s energy efficiency enhancements. This commitment to continuous improvement extends to the entire lifecycle of our activities.
Supply chain
Flax fibres are cultivated and processed locally in the rural areas where they are grown, supporting rural economies by creating jobs and preserving traditional skills. By sourcing European flax through a well-established and transparent supply chain, we ensure these benefits are maintained. Our flax is sourced from companies adhering to the EuropeanFlax® certification scheme, which guarantees traceability, fair labour practices, and product quality. We also strive to minimise our supply chain’s carbon footprint and have achieved the ISCC+ certification.
Our products for sustainable success
Natural circularity
Flax plants absorb solar energy and CO2 during photosynthesis, store it during growth, and release it upon decomposition or incineration in waste-to-energy facilities. Incineration also recovers valuable energy for heating and electricity production, contributing to the natural carbon cycle. Unlike biogenic CO2‘s natural cycle, burning fossil fuels releases a linear stream of CO2 from geological reserves. This disrupts the atmospheric balance by adding a constant stream of CO2 that wasn’t previously part of the cycle.
Reduced carbon footprint compared to market alternatives
Replacing carbon fibres with ampliTex™ reduces CO2 emissions by nearly 80%, though it slightly increases part weight. Combining ampliTex™ with powerRibs™ reinforcement grid matches the weight and stiffness of a thin-walled monolithic carbon fibre part, while lowering cradle-to-gate CO2 emissions by up to 85%. Using a bio-based resin, such as one made from sugar cane waste (PFA), can cut CO2 emissions by up to 96%.
Circular opportunities through the entire lifecycle
Bcomp’s thermoplastic ampliTex™-PP and powerRibs™-PP products offer circular opportunities to large-scale industries. Production scrap which is inevitable can be recycled into composite pellets which serve as a new base material for different applications (injection moulding) or can be fed back into the production process for a different step like the moulding of directly attached fasteners and local reinforcements.
Our Impact
Lower CO2 footprint
-85%
Reducing cradle-to-gate CO2 footprint by up to 85%*
* depending on the specific application
Lightweight
-50%
Reducing weight of entire components by up to 50%*
* depending on the specific application
Less plastic
-70%
Reducing use of plastic by up to 70%*
* depending on the specific application
Circularity
Viable end-of-life solutions like recycling into a new base material or energy recovery from a renewable base material*
* depending on the specific application
Sustainability Stories
They trust in our sustainable high-performance solutions to work towards a cleaner future.
Bcomp and Polestar share the same goals, values, and a common mindset to redefine sustainability, quality and performance. In a joint effort we developed the so-called Polestar Signature Weave to bring natural fibre composites into high-volume production as part of the Polestar 3. Compared to conventional plastic trim, this can save more than half of the petroleum-based raw materials, while the material also shines with its unique lightness.
Polestar x Bcomp – The Future of Automotive Design
Since 2020, Bcomp has been collaborating with McLaren Racing and we are incredibly proud to be developing our natural fibre composite technologies for more circular bodywork with one of the most successful teams in motorsport history. The successful collaboration between Bcomp and McLaren Racing continues to open up new possibilities for ampliTex™ and powerRibs™ natural fibre solutions to make the highest-performing F1 cars more sustainable without sacrificing performance.
McLaren Racing’s Circular F1 Car Project
Beyond People
Play Naturally Smart
Guided by the motto “Play Naturally Smart,” Bcomp fosters a safe and dynamic workplace with equal opportunities, encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle. We value education and innovation, offering lectures at several universities, internships, and collaborating with universities and institutions on research projects. Committed to Fribourg’s economic environment, we create local jobs, practice responsible consumption, recycling, and waste reduction, aligning with Fair Trade Town Fribourg principles. Our employees are encouraged to use responsible means of transportation and we enable them to work from home to reduce the daily commuting stress and impact. We prioritise work-life balance and encourage our employees to embrace freedom, leisure, sports, hobbies, and quality family time.
Health & Safety
Safety is a core value at Bcomp, integrating it into every aspect of our operations. Committed to a zero-accident objective, we ensure a secure workplace with regular training sessions for our team and rigorous air quality checks. Our comprehensive health and safety policy sets stringent guidelines to effectively mitigate risks. These initiatives reflect our dedication to fostering a safe, healthy, and responsible work environment.
Beyond Governance
Our sustainability strategy is integrated into our overall strategy and regularly analysed to address climate- and nature-related risks and opportunities. We maintain a robust governance structure to monitor our sustainability progress and enforce a comprehensive code of conduct for employees and board members, ensuring fair competition and ethical business practices. Our Board of Directors sets the strategic direction, approves our environmentally responsible strategy and diligently oversee our progress, including our climate action plan, with its associated risks and opportunities.
Certifications
IATF 16949 Certification
Bcomp achieved the stringent International Automotive Task Force (IATF) 16949 certification during 2022. Being certified by IATF enables Bcomp to access the large scale automotive market.
ISO 14001 Certification
Bcomp is committed to minimising the environmental impact of its products and overall activities. The certification for the ISO 14001 environmental management system was successfully achieved in March 2022.
ISO 9001 Certification
In 2021, we achieved ISO 9001 certification for our quality management systems. This certification, based on our company goals and objectives, demonstrates our commitment to customer centricity and our dedication to consistently delivering the highest quality products and services.
ISCC Plus Certification
In 2023 we achieved the Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) for the powerRibs™ production, proving our commitment to manufacturing a product that meets the highest standards of environmental responsibility. In 2024 we will continue to expand ISCC to ampliTex™.
Solar Impulse Efficient Solution
Bcomp’s sustainable lightweighting solutions are awarded the “Solar Impulse Efficient Solution” label by the Solar Impulse Foundation. It is awarded to 1000 clean and profitable solutions, following an assessment made by independent experts.
B Corp Certification
Bcomp achieved the B Corp Certification in 2024, a significant milestone that underscores our commitment to upholding high standards of social, environmental, and operational performance.
Let’s Decarbonise the World Together!
You want to learn more about how our sustainable lightweighting solutions can help you decarbonise your products, you have a burning question, or you just want to send us some love – then wait no longer and get in touch.